Hunter-Reay seeking second win in three years at Long Beach

Ryan Hunter-Reay sees the pendulum starting to reverse itself in American motorsports.

Of course, it’s swung so far in the direction of NASCAR that it could take more than a generation of drivers before it reverses. But Hunter-Reay sees signs.

“IndyCar racing is on the rebound,” the most successful, homegrown driver currently on the American open-wheel circuit said early Wednesday morning.

“I see a lot of good signs. The series introduced both a new chassis and engine package for this season with three manufacturers now building engines. The new cars are exciting.

“The fans seem to be coming back. I think we are headed in the right direction.”

Hunter-Reay thinks the series needs only a couple more breakthroughs to really shift the momentum.

One would be sponsorships.

“We need more teams with legitimate primary sponsors committed to more than one season,” said Hunter-Reay. “Sponsors will help teams get and sign talent, not only for the cockpit but for technology and engineering. We shouldn’t be selling rides to drivers.”

Next on Hunter-Reay’s wish list is an American champion – preferably for the Indianapolis 500.

“The Indy 500 is the Masters of our sport,” said Hunter-Reay. “Look what it does for golf when a guy like your neighbor, Bubba (Watson) wins the Masters. I think it’s time for an American to win the Indianapolis 500 again.

“I’d love to see an American driver go from winning the Indy 500 to taking the championship. That would give us something to talk about.”

Any candidates?

“I’ve got someone in mind,” said Hunter-Reay, who has finished seventh in the final standings each of the past two IndyCar seasons – making him the top American driver on the tour.

Hunter-Reay returns to the streets of Long Beach Sunday, which, in 2010, was the scene of one of his five IndyCar wins.

“Everything about this season excites me,” he said. “I love the idea that we’re developing a new chassis and engines at the same time. It’s a little hard for the teams to sort everything else. But it’s like a new beginning.”

This season marks the first time since 2003 that IndyCar has had a new chassis. And Chevy and Lotus challenged Honda when IndyCar announced it was throwing out the V-8s made solely by Honda in favor of a turbocharged V-6.

“The new chassis has been hard to figure out,” said Hunter-Reay, who sees that as good news.

“The teams have had to go back to work. These cars are lighter, more nimble and faster on the road courses. The old car was designed for oval racing and was adapted and modified to road courses

“This chassis was developed with road and oval courses in mind., I like the fact that it’s a bigger car. I’m 6-foot-1. It’s good to finally have a car made for someone bigger sized. I like not being cramped.”

But no team seems to have a firm hand on the new chassis after the season’s first two races.

“It’s a tough puzzle to figure out,” said Hunter-Reay. “The Penske and Ganassi teams are probably ahead in figuring it out. They have the most resources, they’ve done the most testing and development, especially on ovals.